Abu Dhabi is expecting an economic boost after Manchester City’s dramatic victory in the English Premier League on Sunday night.
The club, owned by Abu Dhabi ruling family member Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and sponsored by Etihad Airways could do great things for the UAE capital.
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, which is Manchester City’s “destination partner”, said it was delighted with the huge publicity from the win.
“The destination exposure of our sponsorship is considerable,” it said in a statement, saying it will work to make sure that football fans “from clubs, leagues and countries all over the world” become aware of Abu Dhabi and encourage them to visit the emirate.
The team’s chief sponsor, Etihad Airways, couldn’t have scored better - not only having its name in large black letters on the winning shirts, but also seeing victory secured in City’s Etihad Stadium.
James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways said the airline was “immensely proud” and he looks forward to celebrating with the management, staff and players at the club. Hogan added that securing the win at the Etihad Stadium was “very special” for the fans, Etihad and everyone in Abu Dhabi.
The Etihad Airways logo has been on the Manchester City shirt since 2009 and it put its name on the stadium in 2011. The airline boosted its association even further by having staff wear Manchester City’s sky blue colours on match day. Over at the official Manchester City merchandise shop in the capital, The City Store, economic benefit from the win was immediate.
“We opened up the store after the game, lots of fans came in, we were doing very well,” said Iranian-born shop assistant, Aref, yesterday.
The staff had headed to the Blues’ fan club at Zayed Sports City on Sunday night where they watched the match on a giant screen.
“We are selling very well. Scarves and hats are the two best sellers,” Aref said. When 7DAYS was in the shop in Abu Dhabi Mall yesterday morning, every one of the 15 customers was Emirati, signalling that City have won over strong UAE support.
“I bought a jersey for my husband,” said Fatima, an Emirati woman who watched the game at home with her family.
“My sons are also big fans. Everyone started following them when Abu Dhabi bought the team. My husband is no longer with Manchester United,” she said, describing the victory as “wonderful”.
Khalid Al Mansuri, an accounting student who was looking for a Man City top at the shop yesterday, said:
“Abu Dhabi is doing many projects to become an international city but, really, it is Man City that is putting it on the map.
“The city spends a lot to build our profile, but soccer is the language of the people. It will make the world sit up and watch.”
